Predictors of Injudicious Antibiotic Seeking Behavior

Abstract

Injudicious use of antibiotics has been defined as use in a manner not consistent with Center for Disease Con- trol and Prevention (CDC) guidelines including using an antibiotic for a viral infection and not finishing the prescribed round of antibiotics. Injudicious use has become a global problem contributing to resistant strains of bacteria that have been linked to serious illnesses in children and adults, increased mortality rates, increased costs outlaid by parents and healthcare providers and longer treatment protocols The purpose of this study was to discover what parental factors are associated with injudicious use of antibiotics. Parents with children age 14 and under completed a questionnaire regarding injudicious antibiotic use with participants recruited over a two-month period. Ethnicity, income, and education were sig- nificant predictors of injudicious antibiotic use. ANOVA revealed less injudicious use with females, Caucasians, and par- ents with higher incomes. Our study identified ethnic minorities, low parental income, less than a high school education and being male as risk factors for injudicious antibiotic seeking behavior by parents. Educational outreach is needed for parents regarding the proper use of antibiotics.